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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | I intend to visit one of my local dealers tomorrow for a first test ride of a Vision. I am presently a HD rider riding a frame mounted fairing bike they call a Road Glide Ultra. If I can find a Vision locally, I will be on it and trying to decide if it is for me for 2 up riding. Predicted highs tomorrow are in the 40s so it will be plenty warm enough for protected riding, which the Vision seems to boast. Of course I will spiff up that HD before going to the dealer so that we can talk turkey while I am there, if it turns out that I want a Vision.
Wish me luck guys, I have seen their motto that riding means buying one and I hope I am that enthusiastic after a real world experience with one. If so, I will still need to get my wife onto it before committing serious cash to a new ride. She has already given the kibosh to a Honda Gold Wing because "she felt like granny in the Beverly Hillbillies rocker" because the pillion seat was so high above the driver's seat. The pillion is almost that high above the driver, as far as I can tell, on a Vision so let's hope her personal impression of the step up is different. Without her approval, a new bike will be for me only, not the touring that I hope for. That would probably kill it for me too since I already have a very nice single rider bike in my Yamaha Royal Tour Star Deluxe. If not for passenger and cargo load limitations, I would just move over to the Yamaha Venture rather than look at things like the Vision. For one rider riding solo, I would not give the Victory so much as a second look. I love that Venture bike but it cannot really serve us as a couple. That is why I am here, all bikes are a compromise of one kind or another. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | The Vision's pillion is higher than the driver, but that's one of the things that my wife likes so well about it. She can see over me instead of looking at the back of my helmet. That's a plus in her book. So is the power windshield which can be lowered on the fly for more air in hot weather and raised on the fly for more protection from cold or rain. That's one of her favorite features. She likes it better than the Goldwing. Personal preferences.
The Venture is a nice bike for sure. If you get a chance, ride the Vision through some twisty hilly riding country. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much better the Vision handles than the Venture. Don't be heavy handed with the Vision as it likes a light touch. New riders to the Vision sometimes say the bike is too "twitchy" but it's them overcompensating because they are used to a slower handling bike. Let the bike do the work. Also, find some rough patches of road and compare the ride to the Goldwing and the Venture. The Vision goes over bumps in the road without bottoming out on them that a Goldwing bottoms out on (same riders). The 4.7 inches of rear suspension travel makes a difference, especially when loaded and two-up. The Venture and the Goldwing each have 4.1 inches of rear suspension travel.
For me, as the one who has to hold the thing up at stoplights with Momma on the back, the 26.5 inch seat height is a huge advantage over the 29.1 inch seat heights of the Venture and the Goldwing. I'm flat footed on the Vision and tippy-toe on the other two. (I've got short legs).
Choices are good and personal preferences differ. Let us know what you think.
Ronnie
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Gawd. Too much information.
After nearly 50 years riding and 22 bikes - I took ONE look at an AD for a new bike called a 'Vision' - and I knew THAT was THE bike.
Now 5 years after - I am still dealing with admirer's wherever I go.
There is NO doubt in my mind that I drive THE BEST MOTORCYCLE IN THE WORLD. If you have to think about it - WE DON'T WANT YOU !!!
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | My wife is the reason I bought mine. We took a test ride - just for fun, with no intention of buying one - and when we got back she told me how much she liked it and that I needed to buy one.
Oh - be careful when you take off. The anti-tipovers can catch your heel if you leave your foot in place on the ground too long. (Or so I've heard - LOL). |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | donetracey - 2013-03-09 2:12 AM
Gawd. Too much information.
After nearly 50 years riding and 22 bikes - I took ONE look at an AD for a new bike called a 'Vision' - and I knew THAT was THE bike.
Now 5 years after - I am still dealing with admirer's wherever I go.
There is NO doubt in my mind that I drive THE BEST MOTORCYCLE IN THE WORLD. If you have to think about it - WE DON'T WANT YOU !!!
Lol! That is only your opinion Don. Quit drowning in your self mixed, Victory Koolaid. Lot's of great bikes out there. All matched for different styles of riding; rider stature and affordability. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | It's been a very long time since I had a bike like my VISION that you can steer with foot pressure or an extended knee, I don't recall ever having to 'push steer' the bike.
Restrain your strong urge to get off the VISION after the test ride and go kick the H-D in the gas tank, it'll lower your trade in value. You also won't see yourself coming down the road 150 times in a mile either. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
South Carolina | You could always buy a vision for the second and then remove the trunk for single up. You could also slowly take more rides on the vision than the road glide and convert your wife. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 154
Danbury, Connecticut | I rented a RGU last october when I went to Utah. It was OK but lacked in power from my Vision-the Road Glide was a 103 by the way. It wasn't night and day differences, a lot of little things and I will be perfectly honest with you, IF you use/need all the storage space on your RGU you won't be happy with what the Vision offers. I hit an early surprise snow storm 20+ miles from a town and thats when I really missed the Visions heated seat and grips, power windshield and that big fairing in front of my hands. Is your wife going on the test ride with you? Depending on her height and build the passenger floor boards may need to be moved for her to find optimal. It's a great machine, much easier to maintain yourself than a HD, if that means anything to you and the powertrain is close to bulletproof. Please let us know what your impression is after riding it and good luck with whatever you decide. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| Having owned a GW and ridden countess HD Ultras I was sold on the Vision. The handling, the power and the difference in maintenance sold me,that and I like the look. I'll have to admit I thought the power windshield was a gimmick but now I wouldn't be without it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | I was a HD man for 35 years, my last being a RoadGlide ( A damn good bike ). Had alot of upgrades, just recently sold it to a friend and I bought a second Vision. Yes I have two I like them that much.............I will not consider a HD again till they have a more modern engine, something along the lines of a 100 cu in V rod style engine........... |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | Not holding my breath............ |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
Metro-Detroit Michigan | when you get a chance, I would like to read your reaction to the test ride as well as any outcome from the experience. I myself purchased the Vision last November, or early December and was able to go on a 300 mile ride today. <> |
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | I enjoyed the ride although I didn't go far on it. I arrived shortly before the dealer closed because it had been raining most of the day so not much good riding weather.
There are no twisties near where I live so I had to use freeway on/off ramps as a substitute to try to get a feel for the handling and it handled well. Compared to what I have been riding, it gave me slightly better weather protection which was good at 45F but might not be so great at 95F. I already love the electric windshield, it let me test ride the way I would normally be riding, looking over it, not through it. In the past I have had to buy a bike and then contact Cee Baileys to get the proper height for me, typically about 2 inches less than standard height on any make of bike.
I did get reminded of the way all bikes, besides HD, have their turn signals set up, which felt very unnatural after using Harley signals for the last 4 years with their individual switches. We learn one thing and then need to adapt but life goes on. I started with a single lever turn signal arrangement 47 years ago and I am sure I can go back to it fairly quickly. One thing I did miss over and over was my heel shifter. Ever since my 1965 BMW, every bike I have owned has had a heel/toe shifter. I felt very awkward lifting that toe shifter to change gears but it is a low cost option to add one to the Vision.
The floorboards are nice and big and seem to sit a bit lower than on my HD. The seat felt a bit narrow to me but it might be those low floorboards making me drop my knees a bit and thus slide forward some onto the narrower part of the seat. I need to ride again and ride farther before I can sort out that feel. The drive train felt nice and solid and the instrumentation did what I expected it to do. No surprises with electrical is always a plus.
I did not get the time to ride 2 up because I had a conflict between my wife's club meeting and the dealer hours but in 2 weeks when she comes home from her mother's house we will get that ride in. By then I will know whether or not to bother getting her out on it.
My trade is not really as clean as I want it when I start bargaining, so that phase will have to wait until I get enough good weather to do a really good clean and wax job. I don't have an indoor space large enough for detailing a bike. |
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| oldman47 - nice write up. I believe you can get a heel shifter for the vision from 2009 and newer. my wife and I ride with a number of GWs. whenever we stop somewhere its the Vision that people ask ?s about and take pictures of. I've added a top air filter and a ness fuel controller. we have no problem keeping up with the GW and their big motors. the 6 speeds and the electric windshield are envied by the GW riders 
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | The only things i've added in 46,000 miles on my 2011 Vision have been the lower wind deflectors and the heel shifter.
The lower wind deflectors should come as stock equipment they work so well.
Fully extended they keep me warm and/or dry and when almost fully retracted they blow the engine heat away from my legs.
The heel shifter was necessary due to "drop foot" which makes upshifts with the toe shifter impossible for me.
The rear air shock pressure is important to check/adjust before your next test ride.
One thing real nice about the Vision is the 529 pound carrying capacity limit it offers. (According to Rider Magazine)
I believe the Goldwing has 418 pounds of carrying capacity.
The 2011 Harley's carry capacity was 472 pounds. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | Nice write-up Oldman47.
If you add the optional lower wind deflectors to the vision, you can create an airflow over you (with the windshield lowered too) that will rival an unfaired, but windshield equipped, bike for hot weather riding. You can literally get enough air on you to blow your pants legs up with the deflectors turned about halfway in. Turned all the way out, the deflectors keep so much air off of you your pants legs will be practically motionless. Very versatile.
Heel shifters are another option.
You really need to ride the thing in some twisties, preferably with your wife along, to really get an appreciation for the handling capability of the Vision. You also need to ride the thing on some rough pavement that you are already familiar with so you can get a comparison of the ride qualities. As mentioned, set the air suspension for your weight.
Stock power is close to that of an 1800 Goldwing (5th gear to 5th gear passing power comparison). Power exceeding the Goldwing's is cheap and easy if you want it, with some bolt-on parts.
Let us know what you and the missus think and good luck with your choice.
Ronnie
Edited by rdbudd 2013-03-10 12:13 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Carrollton, TX | The local dealers didn't want to let us take the Vision on a 25+ test ride so we had to make due. Your wife will immediately miss the armrests. Mine likes the seating, leg room & ride better our old Ultra. We got about $2500 more trade in w/ Victory dealer than 'all' the local HD dealers were offering. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Lindale, TX | Vision has armrests. I tried every touring bike and my wife and found a new 2008 Victory Vision Tour Premium to be the best in comfort and features. After four years and 25,000 weekend riding miles we are still completely satisfied. Only seen a shop once for tires, front and rear at 14,000. Other than that, oil changes at home and starts every time. 42 miles per gallon two up riding throughout Texas.
If this bike is ever totaled or stolen, I will be buying another Vision. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I too had to get used to the turn signals, and the non-locking kickstand. A small price to pay for more comfort, control, power, handling and less maintenance. I love parking next to the Harley guys on their $40k bikes and have everyone gawking at my bike for less than half the price. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | Nozzledog - 2013-03-14 10:02 PM
I too had to get used to the turn signals, and the non-locking kickstand. A small price to pay for more comfort, control, power, handling and less maintenance. I love parking next to the Harley guys on their $40k bikes and have everyone gawking at my bike for less than half the price.
That happens to me all the time. Took a trip to the blue ridge me on the Vision and my buddy on a road glide ultra and everyone always stopped to gawk at the Vision. By the end of the trip he was just like WTF? |
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | Something just occurred to me that I had not already mentioned. Whenever I am riding, I use the cruise control except in heavy traffic because it keeps me within the speed limit, it is just so easy to roll on more speed without noticing it on any bike. When testing that 2008 Vision I noticed what felt like a click of some sort when I rolled off the throttle to disengage the cruise. It was almost as if the cruise was controlling the throttle itself, not the fuel and air mix and rolling off the throttle had to overcome some cruise setting resistance mechanically. I have never noticed that on another bike and wondered if it is to be expected or was somehow a problem with the particular used bike I was riding. |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Oldman47 - 2013-03-16 7:23 PM
Something just occurred to me that I had not already mentioned. Whenever I am riding, I use the cruise control except in heavy traffic because it keeps me within the speed limit, it is just so easy to roll on more speed without noticing it on any bike. When testing that 2008 Vision I noticed what felt like a click of some sort when I rolled off the throttle to disengage the cruise. It was almost as if the cruise was controlling the throttle itself, not the fuel and air mix and rolling off the throttle had to overcome some cruise setting resistance mechanically. I have never noticed that on another bike and wondered if it is to be expected or was somehow a problem with the particular used bike I was riding.
It is controlling the throttle. That is why you can twist the throttle forward to disengage it. My GW was the same way. |
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | So Istayner are you saying that I should be feeling the thing forcing a disengage? That is not how it works on my HD or my Yamaha. On those bikes the only way I can measure my success at disengaging is by the bike slowing down. There is no physical feel to tell me I am overcoming the setting. |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Yes, I believe Istayner is saying that. You will feel a force to overcome when disengaging the throttle (rolling forward). I don't like the feel, so generally use other ways to disengage: Pull clutch, apply front brake, apply rear brake, press 'off' button
Edited by Boots 2013-03-16 10:24 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | Yes it's supposed to to do that. HD does exactly the same thing my buddy showed my on his. |
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First trial ride tomorrow
